Contents

Microsoft on Thursday provided a lengthy overview of Windows on ARM, which is looking more and more like a product that will be separate from Windows 8.

The company said that Windows on ARM (WOA) PCs will roll out at about the same time as Windows 8 PCs running on AMD or Intel processors, with beta software rolled out on parallel but separate tracks. Both types of machines will share some, but not all, software.

And "you don't turn off a WOA PC," Windows president Steven Sinofsky said in a blog post on Thursday, announcing a new ultra-low-power mode. He also showed off a prototype WOA device, but said it doesn't represent "even a hint of a product." (Check out PCMag's own hands-on with the Windows 8 Developer Preview.)

But Microsoft made it very clear that absolutely no legacy Windows 7 applications will run on WOA.

WOA will include desktop versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, Microsoft said  also referred to as Office 15. The WOA operating system will also include Explorer, Internet Explorer 10 for the desktop, and most other Windows desktop features that have been rearchitected for touch and low power. Apps styled in the "Metro" interface will be able to be used by Windows 8 and Windows on ARM (WOA) machines, Sinofsky wrote.

But consumers who want to run legacy Windows apps will be best served with a traditional Windows 8 PC running on either an AMD or Intel processor, Sinofsky wrote, as Microsoft has said previously. Those seeking a clean break can migrate to the new device.

"If you need to run existing x86/64 software, then you will be best served with Windows 8 on x86/64. If you're already considering a non-Windows device, then we think WOA will be an even better alternative when you consider the potential of form factors, peripherals, Windows Store apps (and developer platform), and Office applications as well as a broad set of intrinsic Windows capabilities."

"WOA will not support any type of virtualization or emulation approach, and will not enable existing x86/64 applications to be ported or run," Sinofsky added.

Separate, parallel development timelines
Microsoft will begin to make WOA development machines available to developers in a closed beta at about the same time the Consumer Preview of Windows 8 is made available for download at the end of February, Sinofsky said. Texas Instruments, Qualcomm, and Nvidia are all working with their own OEMs to develop the PCs. The machines distributed will not represent finished devices, Sinofsky wrote.

"WOA PCs are still under development and our collective goal is for PC makers to ship them the same time as PCs designed for Windows 8 on x86/64," Sinofsky wrote.

WOA apps, meanwhile, will not be sold as packaged software and will only be sold through Microsoft's online app store, the company said. WOA will only ship preloaded on PCs, Sinofsky said in an interview with Bloomberg.

Sinofsky referred to WOA as a "single product," but also noted that the company hasn't actually announced the "editions or SKUs" of the Windows product. He also said that WOA's features and capabilities would most likely be tweaked before launch.

"When a consumer buys a WOA PC, it will be clearly labeled and branded so as to avoid potential confusion with Windows 8 on x86/64," Sinofsky wrote. WOA PCs will be serviced only through Windows or Microsoft Update, and consumer apps will only come from the Windows Store, he wrote. Microsoft has released a list of the first gaming titles it plans at launch.

"Windows 8 on ARM (WOA) is separate but equal," said Al Hilwa, a software analyst with IDC, in a note "It is a different OS on its own schedule, but Microsoft is doing its best to deliver it at the same time. Given that deliver means integrated devices by hardware makers, some devices will come before the others and it is a good bet that the first devices will not be WOA. In fact, we may see Intel or AMD tablets before WOA tablets. Both are working hard on improving the mobile aspects of their chips at breakneck speed. WOA devices are expected to be clearly branded to ensure that buyers know what they are getting."

About the Author

Mark Hachman Mark joined ExtremeTech in 2001 as the news editor, after rival CMP/United Media decided at the time that online news did not make sense in the new millennium.
Mark stumbled into his career after discovering that writing the great American novel did not pay a monthly salary, and that his other possible career choice, physics, require... See Full Bio

Get Our Best Stories!

This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.